"If you start out with a team like McLaren, a lot is very much expected of you. In my case, I’ll be able to learn and make a few mistakes without any enormous consequences", added the 21 year old.

"I’ll go along to every Grand Prix and will also be present at the winter test sessions. Just how much I might be driving, I dare not say right now! It’s just too early to know".

Frijns is currently unsure whether he will be dividing his time between F1 and another series, citing funds as his main problem.

"Also next year, I’d like to participate in some form of racing championship, but I have no money for a year in GP2 or even World Series by Renault, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens".

"Of course I hope for a race seat, but everyone knows that the economic crisis is not helping; but when we saw that Sergio Pérez had left and that [Mexican telecommunications company] Telmex stayed with Sauber, it was obvious what was going to happen [Gutierrez's promotion]."

"Money rules the roost with the midfield teams, such as Sauber and Williams…it plays a very large role"

"Nonetheless, I’m very happy to be starting out with Sauber. We’ll work hard and can hopefully learn a lot next year".